Although there are a few similarities, Chinese table manners and etiquette are very different from Western table manners and etiquette. This can make it very hard for a westerner to eat in china, because they do not know the etiquette that is used in China. One major difference between westerners and Chinese people is the way people order. In America people order individually, but in China the host will order a lot of different dishes for the whole group. When ordering people order even numbers of dishes, because odd numbers represent death and bad luck. Once the food comes it is placed in the middle of the table and everyone takes food and puts it on their plate. Men with longer arms are supposed to put food on the plates of women who cannot reach the food in the center. Because of the way the food is put on the table reaching over people is not considered rude, but asking someone else to pass the food is a better alternative. Also because of the set up double dipping is O.K. When all the food comes and everyone is seated it is polite to wait for the host to begin. After they begin the tea is poured for each person. The first person to get tea is the eldest, and the youngest is served tea last as a way of showing elders respect. Your cup of tea should never be empty, so someone will constantly refill your cup. When someone refills your tea you should tap your cup on the table to say thank you, this is called tea tapping. There are many differences between American and Chinese restaurants. One difference is in China the louder and noisier the restaurant, the more it is deemed to have a good reputation. Another difference is in china the food should never be finished in front of the host. This shows that the host did not get enough food and that they have failed to fill their guest. If you do want the last piece of food on a communal dish you must ask for permission from everyone at the table. If you are offered the last bit of food, it is considered rude to refuse the offer. In China there are a lot of things you should never do while eating, because they are thought to be bad luck. An example of this is you should never rest chopsticks vertically in rice, because it represents funerals and death. Also you should never turn over your fish, because it symbolizes boats capsizing.
Overall there are many differences between the etiquette of Chinese and Westerners. It would be very different for a westerner to eat in a Chinese place, and he/she would probably offend someone for not having good table manners. The way the table is set up, the way they eat food, and how they interact with others would be different.
Works Cited "A "Family Affair" Dining Style." Chinese Table Manners - Table Manners In China. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014. "A "Family Affair" Dining Style." Chinese Table Manners - Table Manners In China. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014. Shan, Hui K. "Table Manners and Eating Habits of Chinese and Westerners." Slide Share. N.p., 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2014. "Table Manners." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct. 2014. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
Although there are a few similarities, Chinese table manners and etiquette are very different from Western table manners and etiquette. This can make it very hard for a westerner to eat in china, because they do not know the etiquette that is used in China.
One major difference between westerners and Chinese people is the way people order. In America people order individually, but in China the host will order a lot of different dishes for the whole group. When ordering people order even numbers of dishes, because odd numbers represent death and bad luck. Once the food comes it is placed in the middle of the table and everyone takes food and puts it on their plate. Men with longer arms are supposed to put food on the plates of women who cannot reach the food in the center. Because of the way the food is put on the table reaching over people is not considered rude, but asking someone else to pass the food is a better alternative. Also because of the set up double dipping is O.K. When all the food comes and everyone is seated it is polite to wait for the host to begin. After they begin the tea is poured for each person. The first person to get tea is the eldest, and the youngest is served tea last as a way of showing elders respect. Your cup of tea should never be empty, so someone will constantly refill your cup. When someone refills your tea you should tap your cup on the table to say thank you, this is called tea tapping. There are many differences between American and Chinese restaurants. One difference is in China the louder and noisier the restaurant, the more it is deemed to have a good reputation. Another difference is in china the food should never be finished in front of the host. This shows that the host did not get enough food and that they have failed to fill their guest. If you do want the last piece of food on a communal dish you must ask for permission from everyone at the table. If you are offered the last bit of food, it is considered rude to refuse the offer. In China there are a lot of things you should never do while eating, because they are thought to be bad luck. An example of this is you should never rest chopsticks vertically in rice, because it represents funerals and death. Also you should never turn over your fish, because it symbolizes boats capsizing.
Overall there are many differences between the etiquette of Chinese and Westerners. It would be very different for a westerner to eat in a Chinese place, and he/she would probably offend someone for not having good table manners. The way the table is set up, the way they eat food, and how they interact with others would be different.
Works Cited
"A "Family Affair" Dining Style." Chinese Table Manners - Table Manners In China. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
"A "Family Affair" Dining Style." Chinese Table Manners - Table Manners In China. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
Shan, Hui K. "Table Manners and Eating Habits of Chinese and Westerners." Slide Share. N.p., 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
"Table Manners." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct. 2014. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.